ON RELATIONSHIPS

Something extraordinary is happening in our midst, can you feel it? In a recent discussion, I gained insight into how a simple twist on an old idea could be the catalyst to building a solid foundation for a true renewal and revival from which God will WORK.

God may be calling to you to "build authentic relationships", and the first relationship He wants you to build is your personal relationship with Him…

The twist on this story is, the relationship He desires is from God’s point of view, not ours.

When we “go deep” and ask God to reveal His desires for our lives. This intentional action begins to stimulate growth and will help to strengthen a more “authentic” relationship with Him. When each of us decide to do this, God really begins to WORK. We begin to see that Immanuel is true, God is really with us!

*** "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." John 17:20-26

Can you imagine what will happen when each one of us begins to live that life - fully, and authentically? Knowing not only that God is in you, but He is also in me? Wow!

Can you see the paradigm shift?

When we are open to growing our relationships with each other from God’s point of view... in essence, God will be working, by reflecting His love for you, through me, and vice-versa.

Does that make sense?

Of course, relationships between "like-minded" people are easy - but when we attempt to build authentic relationships with EVERYONE... Most of us fall short.... in fact, most are complete and utter failures.

I am inspired by a vision of what will happen when we begin to act intentionally. Not only will we have a positive affect on each other, but I believe this paradigm may be the building block that is needed in ALL ministries.

In fact, that building block may be the cornerstone that is needed to complete the foundation for His Kingdom on earth.

*** - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

*** “…the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6

*** What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead… You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. James 2:14-24

*** Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:7-21

Can you imagine what God will do when we begin to invite God to take up residence in our hearts and we begin to listen to His longings for our lives? All we have to do is to invite Him in, and then listen for Him to speak into our lives.

As we listen, I believe He wants us to share what He is saying. Share it with friends, family, associates and yes, even strangers we come in contact with…. Just think of the possibilities... especially when we see God moving in a similar way and simultaneously in their lives.

Just think what will happen when you find common ground where God will build the foundation for an authentic relationship!

PS. Here are some personal lessons I am learning -

God opens many doors for many different reasons.

All doors lead to a greater knowledge of Him.

Some people:
- Are stuck in a rut where God is not a vibrant part of their life.
- Have placed God in a box... and limit his expression in their lives.
- See that He is opening doors where He can work in their lives.
- Some are not paying attention and don’t see the open doors.
- Feel a need to be “empowered” before stepping forward.
- Walked through the door but encountered a dead end... or a disappointment and gave up.
- Are only looking for self-aggrandizement
- Begin to realize it is about Him... not about them.
- Learn that agape love is manifested within authentic relationships
- Become aware that when two or more are gathered in His name, He is there with them.

God has given each person gifts and/or talents however, some people:
- Have not discovered their gift
- Are not using their gift
- Are not perfecting their gift
- Have never had the opportunity to bond with others who have the same gift.

Mentors are important and can help jump-start a fruitful life, however, most people:
- Don’t know what a mentor is
- Have never had a personal mentor
- Have never mentored someone else

God works within authentic relationships and when people:
- With similar gifts share their exuberance for that gift,
- With different gifts come together to solve a problem,
- Are engaged in authentic relationship, God’s hand on their life is clearly evident.
- See God’s hand on their lives their knowledge of Him begins to grow.

To build a personal relationship with God and really know Him, should be the primary focus of our life.